Like It Is

Brittany Lincicome is one of the most successful players in LPGA history. In her rookie season (2005), she led the tour in driving distance earning her the nickname, "Bam-Bam." Brittany has gone on to win eight titles in her LPGA career with two major championships and nearly $ 10 million in prize money.In this episode, Lisa and Karen talk with Brittany about Lexi Thompson's performance on the PGA TOUR, LPGA purses that need a raise, and balancing life on tour as a mom. They discuss:00:00-12:15 - Lexi Thompson playing on the PGA TOUR & why it was controversial to some.12:15-21:30 - How the PGA TOUR could boost the LPGA Tour in a heartbeat.21:30-27:20 - What can/should be done about longtime LPGA tournaments that haven't increased their purses and remain under 2 million?27:20-28:32 - What the players need to do to promote change.28:32-33:34 - The challenges of being a Mom on tour.33:34-end - Wrapping things up.

Anyone who follows golf knows JoAnne "Big Mama" Carner. One of the game's greatest champions recently made history by breaking her age of 84 by shooting an 80 in the opening round of the U.S. Senior Women's Open – good enough for a mention on ESPN. Click here to watch the clip on ESPNDuring her remarkable career, Carner captured 43 LPGA Tour titles, two U.S. Women's Opens, five scoring titles, and was named Player of the Year three times. On this podcast, we discuss:00:20 - Her desire to still compete01:55 - How her swing has changed over the years03:05 - Getting lessons and accolades from Sam Snead05:40 - The professional game during her prime vs. now07:05 - The increased prize money tradeoff and losing the fun of competing08:10 - Turning pro later than most09:55 - Her most proud moments11:10 - Boycotting the U.S. Women's Open12:15 - Being called "Big Mama" and how it came about 14:15 - Living through the Billy Jean King era of equality15:40 - Playing aggressively18:25 - Benefits of sometimes being a dumb golfer20:15 - The key to longevity in golf and life (hint: vodka)22:10 - Having her husband's support on the road25:05 - Being recognized or dismissed as just an old lady on the course26:00 - Closing thank yous to this incredible woman

The topics this week include:-Broadcast issues-Why being "grateful" is hurting the tour-Pay inequality-Lack of media outlets & other critical thinkers to address important issues-Transparency and being too careful-What can the players do

Journalist, Author, BroadcasterMary Ann Sieghart is the author of the best-selling book, The Authority Gap: Why Women Are Still Taken Less Seriously Than Men, and What We Can Do About it. She spent 20 years as Assistant Editor and columnist at The Times and won a large following for her columns on politics, economics, feminism, parenthood and life in general. She has presented many programmes on BBC Radio 4, such as Start the Week, Profile, Analysis, Fallout and One to One. She chaired the revival of The Brains Trust on BBC2 and recently spent a year as a Visiting Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford. She has chaired the Social Market Foundation think tank, is a Visiting Professor at King's College London, and sits on numerous boards. She was Chair of the judges for the Women's Prize for Fiction 2022.

Lisa & Karen are joined by the greatest Olympian of all time, Michael Phelps, for an in-depth discussion of his mental health journey, what he learned in therapy, and his upcoming memoir (which Karen is helping him write).They Discuss:@ 0:26 - What it's like to be introduced as "the greatest Olympian of all time."@ 1:49 - Why he chose a woman (Karen Crouse) to help him write his memoir.@ 7:11 - The difficulties of writing a memoir and the old wounds it opens. But it's also been an opportunity for personal growth and opening new doors.@ 9:50 - Why he chose to go public with his mental health struggles in 2015, just months after returning from rehab, and what he learned from his time there. @ 12:08 - What it was like for his family to go through it with him as a famous athlete and why he didn't want to hide his struggles anymore.@ 16:05 - Being vulnerable in group therapy with a bunch of strangers.@ 19:42 - How it felt to be free for the first time and on a level playing field with other people who were fighting similar battles as he was.@ 21:24 - Why it's important for people to get help and speak out on their own timeline–not anyone else's.@ 26:58 - How the mental health discussion has changed over the years and the role he played in reducing the stigma surrounding it.@ 33:40 - How going through therapy actually fueled him.@ 36:15 - Why he doesn't regret what he's been through and his mission to keep moving the conversation about mental health forward.@ 39:59 - What he does on days that he isn't in a good mental space.

Sally Jenkins, a longtime sports journalist and columnist for the Washington Post joins Lisa & Karen for an in-depth discussion on my topics including Sally's new book – The Right Call. They discuss:The PGA Tour/Saudi Merger (00:10 - 18:00)Sally's Book, The Right Call (18:00 - 36:00)Growth for the LPGA Tour (36:00 - 47:00)The Challenges of Writing on a Deadline (47:00 - end)

About TroublemakerWhen longtime sports television personality Lisa Cornwell went public about the misogynistic culture that she and other women faced during their time at Golf Channel/NBCUniversal, she had no idea the impact it would have in the sports world and beyond.With a powerful foreword from Hillary Rodham Clinton, her tell-all book Troublemaker: A Memoir of Sexism, Retaliation, and the Fight They Didn't See Coming takes readers inside the boys' club of sports media and reveals the way powerful corporations cover up wrongdoings. For her, what began with sexism and retaliation exploded into a public smear campaign and, ultimately, her dismissal.Lisa also shares the unlikely yet formative touchstones of her life: a close friendship with Tiger Woods when both were nationally ranked junior golfers; her cousin, Bill Clinton, being elected President of the United States; and the private demons she battled as a young adult that almost cost her everything.Candid and compulsively readable, Troublemaker is a timely story of fighting back against the sexist cultural norms that are still deeply embedded in our society. It will resonate with anyone who has experienced unfair treatment in the workplace due to their gender, race, orientation, and more.

Even though most people don't know a transgender person, everyone seems to have an opinion... and more often than not, it isn't positive. While the world debates transgender transitioning and transgender athletes, we wanted to hear from someone who's been through it. Hailey Davidson transitioned seven years ago and explains what life is like for her on and off the course as she continues to chase her dream as a professional golfer, despite the many obstacles. She opens up about discovering her transgender identity, how her family and friends reacted, dealing with the criticism on social media, mental health & the challenges of being a transgender athlete. They Discuss: :57 - When she first started questioning her gender identity. 1:50 - How she discussed her thought/feelings with family and friends, being so young. 3:20 - It was a confusing time and the mixed emotions of going through puberty. 4:38 - Who was first person she talked to about it? 6:25 - She details the first discussion about it with her parents. 8:17 - After going back-and-forth and questioning her gender identity for years, Hailey finally came to terms with it and made some difficult decisions. 13:51 - The conversation shifts to golf. What was her swing speed before she transitioned? 14:41 - She was a long hitter before transitioning... comparisons. 15:16 - What was her swing speed one year after transitioning? 17:02 - Seven years into transitioning: What's her swing speed now? 18:52 - Where's the advantage? Comparisons to LPGA players in terms of length. 19:26 - Has she faced challenges from people not wanting her to complete? Hormone and blood work? 23:11 - The impact on all transgender athletes after the Lia Thomas (Penn swimmer) story came out. 25:49 - How does she deal with the hatred and horrible things that people say to her and about other transgender people on social media? 28:56 - What should we do when posting this episode: Should we turn off comments on social media? 30:42 - What's next? How do we make this fair for both transgender athletes and female (at birth) athletes? 34:26 - How all of this has affected her mental health...

Terry Strada, who lost her husband Tom in the 9/11 attacks, is the National Chair of https://911familiesunited.org/ ("9/11 Families United") – a coalition of families and survivors of the worst-ever terrorist attacks on American soil. They represent over 9,000 victims' family members and survivors seeking justice and the truth from that tragic day. Lisa & Terry discuss 9/11, the Saudi government, LIV Golf and much more... Here's a timeline of the discussion: :10 - Introduce Terry and her role with "9/11 Families United" :53 - Terry takes us through what happened on Sept. 11... 2:09 - Her husband Tom called soon after the plane hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center. She describes that call and the panic that followed. 2:47 - How did "9/11 Families United" come about? She joined in 2002 to find out why and how this happened... and who was behind it. Her mission to hold Saudi Arabia accountable. 4:17 - She talks about the point she knew Saudi was accountable, holding the government accountable & why previous Presidential administrations haven't helped. Also brings to light the "Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism" Act presented by Congress. 5:42 - The Saudis play dirty... bullying, bribery, threaten people and kill them. 6:53 - Why there has been pushback to release info on Saudis from all administrations before Biden. Choosing Saudis over America's interests because of oil, geopolitical reasons, etc... but it's no excuse. The U.S. government isn't forcing the Saudi Kingdom to own up to its wrongdoings. 7:55 - Her reaction to declassification of 9/11 documents under the "Transparency Act." A lot of information is still redacted. Revealed that Saudi diplomats who had credentials to work in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were extremists who were setting up support networks for the 9/11 terrorists. 10:27 - Has there been any communication with President Biden? Terry says he's obligated to address this with MBS when he meets with him next month now that they have phone and bank records linking the Saudi government with 9/11. "Operation Encore" by the FBI has revealed all of these details. There is now evidence of Saudi involvement and President Biden must address it. 12:19 - How does the lawsuit stand now and what's next? 12:51 - Where can we see these redacted documents? The FBI Vault online. There is a protective order against releasing more information at the request of the Saudi government. 14:12 - Her reaction when she first heard about LIV Golf. 17:05 - Her late husband was a scratch golfer. What would he say about LIV Golf? 17:57 - Her late husband was also a Phil Mickelson fan. USA Today columnist, Christine Brennan, asked Mickelson at the U.S. Open about the letter Terry sent him and the U.S. golfers joining LIV on behalf of "9/11 Families United." What was her reaction to his brush off? 19:52 - Is this how MBS wins... sportswashing? 21:02 - The Ladies European Tour in women's golf has six Saudi funded events. What are the dangers of the Aramco Series? 24:08 - Terry sends a clear message to female golfers on the LPGA Tour thinking about accepting Saudi money – you will be a mouthpiece and lose your great history in the game. 25:12 - What would her message be to the LPGA Commissioner and players to avoid a hostile takeover of women's golf by the Saudi's and MBS? 27:11 - How much does what happened on 9/11 still haunt you?

Lina AlHathloul is the youngest sister of Loujain. Since her older sister was detained in May 2018, alongside more than a dozen other women human rights defenders, Lina has become one of the few family members able and willing to speak out on behalf of an incarcerated relative. A lawyer by training, Lina has become a tireless advocate for her sister and has spoken to numerous media outlets, at international events and gatherings, and to representatives of the U.S. government and the United Nations. They discuss: 00:19 - Introduction to Lina 00:53 - What was it like growing up as a girl in Saudi Arabia with a guardianship system? 02:50 - Once she moved away from the country, Lina explains what it was like to experience life in a free country for the first time. 04:15 - Lisa gives background on Loujain being imprisoned for 1,001 days and what she experienced during that time. 04:48 - Lina explains the moment her sister was kidnapped in the UAE and the course of events that led to her unlawful imprisonment. 09:16 - Lina describes in further detail exactly what happened to her sister Loujain while being held in the torture facility–beatings, electric shock therapy, waterboarding, sexual abuse and the man who ordered it all–MBS's right hand man, Saud al-Qahtani, who allegedly oversaw the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. 11:53 - How did her release come about? Lina explains how her sister was labeled as a traitor with signs bearing her face placed around the capital city with those stamped on them. MBS claims Loujain was communicating with enemy states but not produced any of the evidence he claimed to posses. 15:41 - Lina talks about how her sister was offered an early release if she made a video statement saying she was never tortured or harassed while imprisoned, which Loujain refused to do. 17:03 - What is Loujain doing now? Lina describes her sister's five-year travel ban, how people around her are targeted, being isolated and how she lives in constant fear. 18:10 - Lisa asks Lina about an https://www.elle.com/culture/a39787294/inside-saudi-arabias-secret-detention-facilities-where-women-disappear/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social-media&utm_campaign=socialflowTWELM (article) she recently tweeted about regarding the care houses and how women who report their abusers (rape victims, incest, physical abuse) are held in these facilities and tortured for months before being released back to their male abusers. 20:04 - In 2020, Lina wrote a https://grantliberty.org/loujain-al-hathloul-sister-begs-ladies-european-tour-golfers-to-boycott-saudi-event-in-solidarity-with-womens-rights-activists-held-in-the-kingdom/ (letter) to members of the Ladies European Tour begging them not to participate in any Saudi government sponsored tournaments (Aramco Series). She explains what prompted her to write the letter and discusses the dangers sportswashing poses to all Saudi women. 24:25 - Lisa asks Lina what her message would be to LPGA players currently wearing the "Golf Saudi" logo and accepting MBS's blood money. 26:51 - Does it give MBS power when players from the West support his sportswashing efforts? 27:56 - Lina responds to Greg Norman's comments about life for women in Saudi Arabia getting better because he's seen them in restaurants. She also reacts to Lee Westwood's claims that life is improving for women and people in Saudi. 29:51 - What's the future for women in Saudi under MBS? 30:23 - Lisa asks Lina how concerned she is for her sister's safety. Lina goes into detail about the travel ban, continued torture, her sister's phone being targeted with spyware, being followed and harassed. 31:55 - How about her own personal safety? She talks about why speaking out will always help her sister and she doesn't have the luxury to remain silent. 32:57 - Thank you...

Christine Brennan is an award-winning national sports columnist for https://www.usatoday.com/staff/2648182001/christine-brennan/ (USA Today), a commentator for CNN, ABC News, PBS NewsHour and NPR, a best-selling author and a nationally-known speaker. Named one of the country's top 10 sports columnists three times by the Associated Press Sports Editors, she has covered the last 18 Olympic Games, summer and winter. They discuss: :45 - Her proudest achievements as a sports journalist over the years 3:17 - Saudi Arabia: The sportswashing debate; Greg Norman's horrendous comments & potential players accepting blood money 7:44 - China: What about its horrible human rights record & how are leagues/organizations/journalists responding 11:10 - Women's Tennis Association: Leading the way by pulling out of China over Peng Shuai & the clear message that sent. 13:02 - More on Saudi: The Ladies European Tour (LET) is playing in Saudi Arabia and has six total Saudi sponsored events on the schedule. The LPGA has controlling interest in the LET. What does this mean for women's golf 19:37 - How different would the LPGA & WTA be if Billie Jean King had been a golfer & Nancy Lopez had been a tennis player 33:11 - Pay Equality: women's soccer, golf, ice skating, etc... and why is paying the men & women so important 42:57 - Brittney Griner: Is the story of her being held as a prisoner in Russia for 100+ days now getting enough attention 48:52 - Transgender Athletes: Where does she stand on the discussion and how does she see it playing out 56:37 - Learn More: Continue this discussion with Christine or reach out if you're an aspiring journalists and have questions @ https://christinebrennan.com/ (ChristineBrennan.com)

https://www.lpga.com/players/brittany-lincicome/80142/overview (Brittany Lincicome) is one of the most successful players in LPGA history. In her rookie season (2005), she led the tour in driving distance earning her the nickname, "Bam-Bam." She has gone on to win eight titles in her LPGA career with two major championships and nearly $10-million in prize money. In this inaugural episode, Lisa Cornwell speaks with Brittany about life off the golf course and being an outspoken advocate for equality. They discuss: 1:15 - What led her to be a vocal advocate in defense of women and female athletes 2:52 - Why don't more women speak out 4:08 - How different would the LPGA Tour be if Billie Jean King had been a golfer instead of a tennis player 5:48 - How the LPGA Tour is different now vs. 2005 (her rookie season) 7:18 - The financial pressure for LPGA players who are making cuts but still cashing small checks 9:30 - Lack of healthcare for players and why the $1850 yearly stipend they receive isn't nearly enough 11:28 - What can players do to push for more money and benefits 12:34 - Are the players discussing the ways they can help facilitate change together the way they should be 13:12 - TV coverage and why the limited number of cameras is hurting the image of the Tour 15:39 - Golf Channel's continued slight of the LPGA Tour in its news/studio shows 17:53 - Does women's golf need more personality from the players during competition to appeal to a larger fan base 19:53 - The golf courses where the LPGA competes vs. the PGA Tour and why playing better courses would lead to better play and increased TV ratings 23:20 - Fighting the equality battle on social media, engaging with fans and handling the horrible comments from the haters on Twitter 26:17 - The effects social media has on her fellow tour players and the concern she has for their mental health 29:32 - The challenges and rewards of being a mom and a professional athlete 32:04 - What life after golf looks like for her 32:35 - Wrapping things up

Everyone has a story. But not everyone has a voice. https://likeitisstories.com/ ('Like It Is') finds the stories that have been ignored for far too long and tells them the way they should be told – with honesty, sincerity and a purpose.